A/N: I am extremely, extremely glad my Chemistry teacher moved our organic chemistry test to early next week. The bad thing is that I got a 50 on the quiz today. It's probably the worst grade I've ever gotten in my life. Haha, well, I'm not too upset about it since the smartest kid in our class got a 45 on it. Plus since everyone did so badly, our test was moved, and that gave me time to finish this chapter. But I am extremely exhausted right now. It's way, way past midnight, but I really wanted to finish and update this chapter! I wouldn't had been able to tomorrow or the next day since I'll pretty much be strapped to a chair practicing for another audition. There are probably quite a few typos in this chapter because I'm so sleepy and fatigued right now and I still have to finish my calculus homework, I don't really have the energy to go back and read it. If you find any mistakes, let me know and I'll fix it. I'll definitely go back when I'm more awake and scan through it again and make corrections.
Sorry, this author's note is so long! It's around that time in the school year when I get really stressed with work, and when I get stressed I tend to rant and talk a lot about stuff that doesn't really matter.
ravenscry21, haha, that's a little dramatic.
hoshi-akuma, hehe ^^ I'm trying to make it as suspenseful as I can, but I still feel like I am lacking. Oh, the end of the story will be great (I hope!). I've got this whole ending planned out already!
Hikiri, yes he did. I don't know when or if I will ever make Saito call Aoi by her first name officially. I feel like he's too formal to ever do something like that under normal circumstances.
damnheart.o3, I'll take your suggestion into account (I've already discussed it with you)!
14Phantom, I love Sano too. The next chapter should mark the end of the first season! It's quite exciting. I finished Hanashobu! Hehe. I'm reading Exotic Flower right now, and you better start updating! I'm catching up fast! I'll be sure to write a huge, long review once I reach the most recent chapter! =P
Guest, I sincerely hope this chapter is to your liking! ('nuff said) XD
Akiko88, aww, thanks for the compliment! Aoi can't stay mad at Saito for long! More like I can't, so my character, in return, also can't.
Guys, be excited for the next chapter! I think it's probably going to be the climax of the story! I'm really excited to start working on it. I want to get it up by early next week, but it really depends on how much procrastination I decide to do. I won't make any promises on update time because I might not be able to keep it. (sorry!) But just anticipate the next chapter! ;D
Chapter 26. Please, please review! Warning, this chapter has lime! Please read responsibly.
Chapter 26
The months and seasons passed swiftly. Aoi went about her life, pining for Saito every waking moment, yet patiently holding her head high and waiting for the day when she would reunited with him.
December rolled around and the monks at Nishi Hongan-ji, who were finally fed up with the presence of the Shinsengumi, kicked them out of the compound. Not without compensation though. The monks bought them a large manor in return, and the Shinsengumi, respecting their wishes, left the temple to settle into the newly bought headquarters.
"What do you think?" Aoi asked, making herself comfortable in Okita's room.
"About the compound?" Okita asked. He sat up in his bed. "Not bad I guess. It's large. There aren't any damned monks breathing down our necks."
Aoi giggled. "Well, we have Hijikata-san to do that."
Okita joined in the laughter. "That's true." His laugh turned into a dry rasping cough. Aoi scooted forward and grasped his shoulders, supporting him.
"Are you okay?" She asked.
He waved her off. "How long have you known?" He asked.
"Since the day Doctor Matsumoto told you about the illness."
"That long huh?" Okita sighed.
"Sorry..." Aoi muttered, feeling guilty.
"Forget about it." He chuckled. "I think quite a few people have already figured out I'm sick too."
"Um, Okita-san..."
He glanced up at her, his sharp, green eyes halting her in her tracks. "There's nothing you can do for me."
Aoi slowly slid her hands off Okita's shoulders and looked at the ground, silent.
Okita's eyes softened. "Could you make me some tea? It'll help my throat."
She smiled at him happily. "Sure."
As Aoi closed the door on the room, she gazed up at the pale-blue sky. "If only Saito-san were here," she thought to herself, "perhaps he would know how to handle this. I miss him so much..." She felt her eyes swimming with tears. She vigorously wiped them away and continued walking towards the kitchen.
Aoi returned as quickly as she could with a steaming cup of tea. She handed it to Okita who gracefully accepted it and took a long sip. Aoi carefully seated herself next to the man again.
"You know Aoi-chan," Okita muttered over the top of the cup of tea, "You probably shouldn't get so close to me. It'd be problematic if you contracted the disease as well."
"I'll be fine." She replied. "Worry more about yourself."
Okita scoffed. "You're too nice sometimes Aoi-chan. You shouldn't be so nice. People might take advantage of you."
Aoi looked down sadly at her hands resting in her lap. "You are too." She whispered. "I know you are. Almost unbearably so. Maybe you don't realize it, but I do. Everyone does."
As Aoi was trudging back to her room later that night, she heard voices coming from the meeting room.
"Sakamoto was assassinated?" Someone shouted in horror.
Aoi slid the door open to reveal Sano, Shinpachi and Inoue gathered.
"What happened?" Aoi asked, fear building in her eyes.
"Sakamoto was assassinated." Inoue repeated. "Apparently, they found Harada-kun's sheath at the scene of the crime."
"What's this? Sano killed Sakamoto Ryouma?" Okita appeared behind the inner door. "Wish you'd invited me." He snickered.
"What?! Don't be stupid!" Sano's angry outburst startled Aoi. "My sheath is right here!" He grabbed his sword and presented it to everyone. "And in any case, aren't you supposed to be in bed?"
Okita looked away. "I'll do nothing but sleep if I'm in bed all day."
"Is someone trying to frame him?" Aoi wondered out loud.
"I bet it was that damn Itou-san." Okita muttered before stomping back to his room.
Sakamoto Ryouma was one of the leading figures in the Meiji Restoration. He was working on bringing about a change in the imperialistic rule. If the Shinsengumi was accused of assassinating him, there would be many people out for blood. Things did not seem to bode well.
Everyone carefully waded through the days without too much incident, but there was an ominous feeling of trepidation that seemed to hang about the compound. Several nights after the assassination incident, Hijikata called a meeting.
As Aoi entered the meeting room, her eyes landed on a familiar face she had not seen for more than half a year. A huge smile transformed her countenance and she felt tears well up in her eyes.
The man sitting next to Kondou looked up, sensing her presence. His azure eyes moved hungrily over her face, drinking her up with his eyes. His lips curved into a tender smile.
"Saito?" Sano sounded aghast. "What are you doing here?"
Aoi quickly took her seat next to the red-haired man, her eyes never leaving Saito. It had been too long since they last saw each other.
"As of today," Hijikata addressed the captains, "Saito will be returning to the Shinsengumi.
"What's going on?" Shinpachi asked.
"Toshi ordered Saito-kun to infiltrate Itou-san's group." Kondou explained.
Aoi looked over at Saito in surprise. "That was why he 'betrayed' the Shinsengumi?" It made Aoi relieved to confirm, once and for all, Saito's loyalty to the Shinsengumi, but it still nagged at her that he wouldn't tell her the details.
She looked around to see everyone giving him the same exasperated stare.
"Jeez Hajime-kun, I can't believe you went out and secretly had some fun without inviting me!" Okita teased.
"That's not cool Kondou-san!" Shinpachi sighed.
"Well, it was top secret!" Kondou laughed apologetically. "Sorry I didn't tell everyone!" He scratched the back of his head sheepishly.
"I'll go make some tea!" Chizuru exclaimed, a happy smile on her face.
"Yeah, make it nice and hot!" Kondou called after her.
"So, you spent all this time there." Aoi stated rather sarcastically as soon as Chizuru had left. Her voice softened. "Did you learn anything?"
Saito gazed at her, apologies filling his deep-blue eyes. "Itou-san's faction is taking an antagonistic stance towards the Shinsengumi."
"What do you mean?" Inoue interrupted.
"Itou-san plans on leaking information about the rasetsus in order to overturn the Shogunate." Hijikata explained grimly. "Also the rumor about Harada's involvement in the assassination of Sakamoto was spread by his faction. They plan on destroying the Shinsengumi."
"What?!" Shinpachi cried.
"Damn that Itou Kashitarou!" Sano shouted, thumping a fist on his knee in anger.
"We figured as much, right Okita-san?" Aoi glanced back at the sickly man.
"Your right. I hope that sly fox doesn't get away with this." Okita responded. "I told you we should have killed him, Hijikata-san."
"That's not all though." Saito interjected. He looked around at everyone seriously. Aoi saw his fists clench in anger. "They have devised a plan to assassinate the Captain of the Shinsengumi."
Okita's eyes darkened dangerously. "You mean Kondou-san?" His hands tightened their grip on the collar of his pale-red haori.
Saito nodded. Everyone stared at Kondou, waiting for his reaction.
"You're right Souji." Hijikata broke the silence as Chizuru opened the door, bringing with her the freshly brewed tea. "I think it's time for Itou-san to meet his maker."
"You want to declare war against the Imperial Mausoleum's guard?" Sano sounded uncertain.
"I'm afraid we don't have any other choice." Kondou sighed.
"But what about Heisuke?" Shinpachi asked.
"We'll have to kill him if he attacks." Hijikata responded after a short pause.
Aoi's eyes widened. There was no way she would be able to kill a friend! She heard Chizuru gasp, most likely thinking the same.
Hijikata stood up and, throwing the door open, stalked out of the meeting room.
Aoi looked down at the ground in despair. "Are you serious?" She heard Chizuru exclaim. "Is everyone alright with this?"
"Of course not!" Kondou growled. "Even Toshi wants to save that kid." The commander stood and heavily stomped out of the room. Everyone but Saito and Aoi followed him.
"We all want Heisuke to return." Sano told Chizuru. He looked like he was about to cry. Aoi bit down hard on her lower lip. The other captains walked past Chizuru without a word.
"I'm sorry for acting so unsightly." Chizuru apologized, her eyes were anguished orbs filled with salty water which she tried to old back.
"The Imperial Mausoleum's guard is finished." Saito spoke to her quietly. "Now is the chance if you wish to save Heisuke." Saito stood up and exited the room with Aoi trailing after him.
"Does Itou-san know you've returned to the Shinsengumi?" Aoi asked when they neared his room in the new compound.
Saito shook his head and opened the door, letting the bright moonlight stream into his unoccupied room. "It will be fine if I am gone for a day. I would much rather be here than there."
"But won't you get in trouble with them?" Aoi slid the door shut behind her and Saito moved to light the lamps, filling the room with their yellow glow.
"No. I will tell them I went to Shimabara for a change in atmosphere." He replied, opening closets and rummaging through drawers to locate all the necessities.
"All of your personal belongings are in my room." Aoi told Saito as he searched through the desk in his room. "I packed them for you. I couldn't bring myself to throw them away because I knew you would return."
Saito straightened and smiled at her. He reached out a hand and brushed her bangs to the side. He grabbed ahold of her long ponytail and slid his fingers down the long, silky bundle. He touched her face gingerly, as if any sudden movement would break her. His dark-blue eyes traveled across her face as if he were rememorizing every feature. Aoi covered his hands with hers and she turned her head to kiss the calloused palms of his hand.
Saito pulled his hands out of Aoi's grasp and wrapped his arms around her body so tightly she staggered backwards a few steps until she was supported by the wall. She squeezed him back, tears falling from her light-blue eyes.
"Why are you crying?" Saito whispered into her ear, feeling the warm drops of water falling onto his black kimono.
"I'm so happy." Aoi cried softly. "I'm so happy that you're back, unharmed. I missed you so much.
"I missed you too." Saito pulled away to kiss the tears streaming down Aoi's face. "It was so hard not being able to see you. Every night, I would think about you and what you were doing, if you were well, if you were thinking about me."
"Thinking about you?" Aoi smiled sadly. "Of course I was thinking about you! You were pretty much the only thing I did think of!"
Saito gazed deep into her eyes. "It brought me peace just knowing that we both lived under the same moon and the same sky, that the moon I saw was the exact same moon you would see."
"Saito-san, I have a question."
"What is it?"
"Right before you left, one of the last things you said to me was 'I believe in the things that never change.' What did you mean by that. Are there things that never change?"
"There are." He caressed her cheeks softly. "My feelings. My feelings will never change. No matter how many centuries should pass, no matter how many lives we should live, I will always love you, and I will always find you again."
Aoi opened her mouth to speak, but Saito didn't let her. He used the opportunity while her lips were separated to lean down and kiss her. Aoi broke away and averted her gaze, blushing.
"Why are you looking away?" Saito asked her, trying to make her look at him again. "After everything we've been through together and done, why are you so shy about it now?"
"Isn't it embarrassing though?"
"What is?" He gently turned her face back towards his with a rough hand.
"We've been apart for such a long time. I was wondering if it was normal to be able to return to how we were before?"
"Why shouldn't it be?" He looked perplexed. Then his face darkened. "Don't tell me there's another man."
Aoi raised her hands up in front of her in a sort of surrender, her light-blue eyes wide. "No, of course not! Nothing of the sort!"
Relief was evident on Saito's face. "Then what do you mean?"
"I don't really know..." Aoi's eyebrows knitted together. "I just feel kind of...weird..."
Saito smiled down at her. "Did you go senile while I wasn't around?"
Aoi frowned and her lips pursed together tightly. She pushed him away with her raised hands, turning her head in annoyance. "You were never one condescend. What happened to you?"
Saito caught her hands before she could lower them and pulled her back into his arms. "Sorry." He whispered against her hair. "I'm just so happy to see you again." Aoi raised her head to look at him again. "I don't want you to hate me." Saito continued.
"Stupid." Aoi scoffed. "As if I could hate you." Her endearing look became withering. "Except," she spoke threateningly, "if you leave me. If you ever pull a stunt like that again, I don't think I could forgive you."
"I know." Saito replied.
He slipped a hand behind Aoi's neck and brought his head down to kiss her again. She closed her eyes and reciprocated it. His velvety lips devoured hers with intense passion. Even as Aoi surfaced for air, Saito's lips never left her skin. They traveled down to her neck and Aoi moaned, grasping the back of Saito's black kimono to steady herself. He reached up and untied the white string holding her hair up, and Aoi's long hair floated to rest on her back. Saito ran a hand through the black, locks, relishing the feeling of the strands slipping smoothly between his fingers.
Aoi tugged on one end of his white scarf, and it fluttered to the ground. She slipped a hand into his black kimono and loosened it, so that it slipped off his shoulders. Lightly, her fingertips examined his well-defined muscles, formed by years and years of sword training.
Saito ensnared her unoccupied hand and twined his fingers with hers. He lifted his arm and pressed the back of her hand against his warm cheek. Her breath caught in her throat as he pressed even closer to her, trapping her between his body and the wall. He lowered their clasped hands, and using his lips, he pushed back the long sleeve of her dark-green kimono to her elbow. He kissed her bare wrist, feeling her blood pulsating beneath her skin.
Aoi shivered. "Saito-san." She whispered. She pulled her hand away and wrapped her arms around his neck. She stood on her tiptoes and tilted her head to catch his lips once again. His hands resting on her hips, Saito pressed back harder, trying to fill the nonexistent gaps between them. Aoi's weak legs gave out and they slid to the ground, their lips still on each other's passionately.
Saito rubbed the long scar on Aoi's back absentmindedly. "Is there anything you wish for, from the bottom of your heart?" He asked her.
Aoi squinted up at him, trying to make out his face with the help of the moonlight. "Short-term or long-term?"
"Either."
"Well..." She paused, contemplating his question for a moment. Then she smiled shyly, hoping the darkness would mask her blush. "I guess what I want most would be a family."
"A family?"
"Yeah," Aoi snuggled closer to his chest. "A home to ourselves, peaceful, mundane lives, maybe a couple of children running around." She smiled at the thought.
Saito was silent for a moment. Then he bent his head and kissed the top of her head. "I'll make that happen." He promised. Then his fingers went back to tracing the puckered line across her back.
"Does it still bother you?" Aoi was referring to her scar that would never disappear.
"A little. I am still disappointed by my inability to protect you." An almost inaudible sigh escaped through his lips.
"You've protected me so many times already. It was my turn to return the favor."
"By almost dying? I don't wish to be protected in such a way." He sounded angry, but whether his agitation was directed at himself or at her, Aoi could not tell.
Aoi bit her lower lip. "We need to talk to Heisuke tomorrow." She said, quickly changing the subject.
But Saito didn't respond, his mind still on the incident that had occurred more than two years ago.
Kondou rolled out a map and laid it on the ground. Then he looked up at the captains gathered in the meeting room. "Station your men around this intersection, Abura-kouji." He pointed at a place on the map. "Tonight, Toshi and I will invite Itou-san out for a drink and ask him to investigate the Choshu clan for us. Hopefully by the time he passes this intersection on his way home, he will be too drunk to fight back." He sighed. "Is everyone good?"
There were nods all around the room.
"Good, then please inform your units."
The captains all stood and stretched, gossiping about the event that would transpire that night.
"Yukimura." Saito addressed Chizuru.
"Yes?" She looked up at him with large, brown eyes.
"Come with me tonight. We will speak to Heisuke."
She nodded. "Alright."
At twilight, Hijikata and Kondou left the headquarters to the arranged meeting place, and a couple hours later, as soon as the sun had sunk behind the horizon, Aoi pulled on her light-blue haori and departed with the men from the Shinsengumi who were able to fight.
Aoi pressed herself up against the side of a fabric shop. There were several men squeezed in each alley surrounding Abura-kouji. She peeped around the corner and saw a small light in the distance growing larger. She caught the eye of Sano who was in the alley on the opposite side of the street. Gesturing with her hands, she informed him of Itou's approach. Sano nodded curtly and turned to relay the information to the other men in his alley.
"He's coming. Not too far now." Aoi addressed the men behind her. They tensed and reached for their katanas. "Not yet." She held out a hand to halt them. "The ones nearer the intersection will kill him. We wait for his subordinates to come investigate. Then we ambush them." The men relaxed slightly, but kept their hands on the hilt of their swords.
They waited with bated breath for several long minutes. It seemed like an eternity, but then they heard scraping footsteps and the hiss of swords being drawn from their sheaths. There was a yell and a thump and the footsteps scampered away quickly.
Aoi peered around the corner to see Itou's body lying on the ground in a pool of his own blood. The light he was carrying had been extinguished when it fell to the ground. She withdrew her head and nodded to Sano.
"He's dead. We got him!" Aoi whispered. She blinked rapidly, trying to get the sleep out of her eyes so she would be alert when it came time to fight.
Somewhere in the distance, she heard a shout. "Itou-sensei!" Several pairs of feet raced towards the corpse.
"Komura, over here!" One of them hailed.
They heard more scuffling footsteps and something heavy was set down on the ground.
"Damn those Shinsengumi!" Someone growled.
Sano inclined his head at Aoi and they dashed out, Aoi drawing her katana. Men after men wearing the trademark Shinsengumi haoris streamed out from the alleys and surrounded the five men from Itou's faction.
The five opponents drew their katanas and backed up against each other. "You bastards, sneak attacks are for cowards!" One of them shouted. "How dare you kill Itou-sensei!"
"We're just retaliating to the fight you guys started!" Sano glared at them. He charged through the ranks of men and drove his spear into the chest of the nearest man before he had time to respond. He pulled out the lance and the man fell with a gurgle to the ground.
Aoi followed Sano's example and leapt at the man in front of her. She slashed her sword down and it met his with a loud, reverberating clang. She jumped back a few paces and dashed at him again. Dodging an attack meant for her stomach, she brought her blade down in a wide arc across his torso. Crimson blood spurted from the wound and the man collapsed, dead. Aoi straightened. "These men can't even fight!" She thought to herself disappointedly.
The other three men were slain in almost no time at all. Aoi sighed, looking down at the corpses. She heard a cry and turned to see one of the men gripping Sano's ankle, struggling against death. Sano frowned and raised his spear to finish him off, but before the tip of his spear could pierce him, there was a gunshot and the man's hand flopped back to the ground and didn't move. Everyone turned to look in shock at the newcomers. Aoi's eyes widened when she saw the two men standing in the shadow of a nearby building.
"Amagiri Kyuuju." She muttered under her breath. The other, then, must be Shiranui Kyo. She vaguely remembered him introducing himself to Sano when they were supposed to be protecting the Shogun on his way to Nijou Castle.
"We'll be sure to avenge you!" Shiranui chuckled to the corpses on the ground. "Hey humans, we've come to play with you!" He addressed the Shinsengumi.
"What are you doing here?" Sano glared at the two of them.
"Isn't it obvious?" Shiranui scoffed. "We're here for work." He smirked. "We're here to watch you dumbasses fall into our trap!" He raised a hand leisurely and the Shinsengumi were ironically surrounded.
"I'm amazed you managed to gather so many men." Shinpachi sounded genuinely impressed. "Going by their clothes though, I bet they're from the Satsuma clan."
"I apologize for doing things like this," Amagiri bowed, "but I must follow my orders."
"Never mind you," Sano's golden eyes shifted to Shiranui, "wasn't Shiranui with the Choshu?"
Shiranui's smirk widened. "I guess you don't know this yet, but the Choshu and the Satsuma are pretty good friends now."
Several men launched themselves at the severely outnumbered Shinsegumi. Aoi parried an attack and threw her assailant back, turning to slash at another man behind her. Sparks flew off as her blade slid off his. She ducked under his sword and stabbed him in the chest. She quickly pulled her katana out of his body and turned to lunge at the man she had just thrown back. She managed to slice his shoulder, and his blood splattered onto her haori. The man screamed with pain and staggered back, gripping his wound, his katana dropping to the ground with a clack. She slashed the back of one of the Satsuma men who was engaged in a deadlock with a Shinsengumi. The man in light-blue gave her a quick nod of thanks before throwing himself back into the fray.
Aoi spun and kicked a man hard in the stomach, making him stumble back, winded, before burying her sword into his heart. Sweat dripped down her face like tears as she slashed and cut her way through the never-ending throng of men. Out of the corner of her eyes, she saw Heisuke running towards them with Chizuru in tow. She jumped back to form a group with Sano and Shinpachi. They were all breathing hard. Suddenly, the group of Satsuma soldiers in front of them parted to the side, revealing Amagiri, who was approaching them.
"I have a proposition for you." He said civilly. "Would you be willing to hand over Yukimura Chizuru-kun? That girl back there." He cracked a small smile. "If you do I shall allow all of you escape."
Sano and Shinpachi gasped looking back at Chizuru, but Aoi continued to stare at the large, muscular oni.
"I don't believe it's an unfair trade." Amagiri continued. "I don't recommend fighting against these odds." He gestured at the hordes of of Satsuma men surrounding him.
Aoi gritted her teeth. It was true, the Shinsengumi were severely outnumbered.
"Yukimura Chizuru, do you accept my proposal?" He spoke to the young girl.
"I..." She whispered. "You'll let everyone go if I agree won't you?" She walked forward begrudgingly, her feet dragging in the ground.
Next to Aoi, Sano held up a hard to stop Chizuru. "That was pretty cool Chizuru. Now leave the rest to us." Sano smirked. Then he tensed. "I'd rather die protecting her than live a long life by giving her away."
"Now who's looking cool?" Shinpachi chuckled. He tilted his head to call to Heisuke. "Heisuke, what are you doing just standing there? You're just going to watch while Sano takes all the glory?"
Heisuke slowly walked towards them. "You two are always like this, especially when you fight. You always drag me in without considering my feelings."
"It's not like you don't do it either." Sano retorted. They shared a small smile, and Heisuke drew his sword, taking his place in the group.
"Heisuke, I hope you haven't gotten rusty!" Shinpachi cackled.
"I'm not lame enough for the likes of you to worry about!" Heisuke shot back.
Aoi listened to the exchange without a word, as soon as it seemed like their snubbing had come to an end, she raised her sword, ready to fight again.
The Satsuma men began streaming towards them, and the Shinsengumi retaliated.
Sano swung his spear in a circle, cutting all those who had the misfortune to surround him. Shinpachi slashed at one man in front of him and whirled around with a shout and sunk his blade into the shoulder of another man.
Aoi dodged an attack and sliced the assailant's forearm, causing him to drop his katana. She swept a leg under his, tripping him. As he fell to the ground, she drove the tip of her blade into his chest. She quickly withdrew it, and without bothering to flick the blood off, she rammed the hilt into another man that had charged at her. He gasped and flailed his katana wildly, oxygen refusing to enter his lungs. She knocked his weapon out of his hands and slashed diagonally across his torso. He crumpled onto the ground heavily. Looking up, she saw Amagiri stepping forward.
"I'm going to take you on, Amagiri." Heisuke faced the oni.
"You are fighting me alone?" He asked in disbelief.
"You're stuck with me whether you like it or not!"
Heisuke ran towards Amagiri. He brought his sword down to the oni's face, but Amagiri easily deflected it with his fist. He crouched and sunk his elbow deep into Heisuke's stomach, throwing him back.
Aoi watched as Heisuke landed on the ground several yards away with a strangled cry.
"Heisuke-kun!" Chizuru cried, bringing her hands up to her eyes.
Aoi noticed several men running towards Chizuru, and so did Heisuke. He struggled to raise himself off the dusty, unpaved road and tripped towards the girl. "Chizuru!" He wheezed, throwing his katana at the enemies. The blade struck one in the shoulder, and he toppled over with a shout of pain.
Aoi turned to rush to Chizuru's aid, but a man distracted her. She parried his attack and sliced his thigh. The man's leg gave out to the pain and his knee dipped to the ground. He brought his sword up again, but Aoi deflected it and stabbed his chest. She turned again and saw that Shinpachi had already beaten her to the girl. But a horrifying scene made her eyes go wide. A now swordless Heisuke was struggling in the air against Amagiri who was holding him up by the collar of his shirt.
"Your courage is commendable, but foolish!" Amagiri growled, drawing his unoccupied hand back into a fist. Releasing all of his strength, Amagiri's hand flew forward and up into Heisuke's ribs. Heisuke soared backwards, blood flying from his mouth.
Aoi lurched towards the boy. The oni's punch had definitely broken a few ribs. The blood wasn't a good sign either. It would be fatal if a broken rib had pierced his lungs. Aoi felt bile rising to her throat and she felt her blood turn cold at the possible, terrible outcome.
"Heisuke-kun!" Chizuru screamed again.
"Heisuke!" Shinpachi shouted. He slashed at the man in front of him and sprinted to the boy lying on the ground once again.
Aoi crouched down next to Heisuke, Chizuru doing the same. Crimson blood was dripping from his partially opened lips, and his eyes were closed.
"Heisuke!" Shinpachi cried, grabbing him. Heisuke's light-blue eyes opened, but they were unfocused and glazed over.
"Stop!" Aoi reached out a hand to stop Shinpachi in case he caused anymore damage to the poor boy's body. She turned to the girl beside her. "Do you think you can feel for broken ribs? I don't have any medical training."
"Yes, I think so." Chizuru reached out a hand and gingerly prodded Heisuke's ribcage.
As she was doing so, Sano swung his spear in a wide arc, fending off anyone who might attack. "Keep them at bay!" He ordered the other Shinsengumi.
"God he must be crazy!" Shiranui snickered. "I have no idea why he's in such a rush to die!"
"Shut up!" Sano shouted back. He rushed forward, but several men blocked his path.
One of them brought his blade down over Sano's head, but it was blocked by the long, wooden shaft. Shinpachi stood and charged at one of the Satsumas. His bloodstained haori flapped behind him as he ran forward, his eyes drawn in anger.
"Can you protect him?" Aoi asked Chizuru, pointing at the broken boy she was tending to.
"Yes." She nodded.
Aoi swallowed and stood, ready to join back in the fighting. But she was almost at her limit. They had been fighting nonstop all night, and she was tired. Sweat and gore plastered her bangs to her forehead, and her kimono stuck to her back. There was a dull throbbing in the back of her head, the precursor of a headache.
Sano slashed at the man who had attacked him, and blood spurted from his wound. Then he jumped back a few steps.
"Dammit, there are too many of them!" Shinpachi growled. "And I don't think Aoi-chan can last much longer." He added when he saw her swaying where she stood.
"Shinpachi, at the very least we have to get Chizuru out of here." Sano replied.
He turned his attention back as another Satsuma rushed at him. There were several cries and men began rushing towards Aoi and Shinpachi as well. Aoi lifted her sword wearily to protect herself, but before anyone could reach her, there was a flurry of movement in front of her. There were shouts and the men that had charged at them collapsed to the ground, bleeding. As they fell, they revealed a person standing behind them. He straightened and Aoi almost cried from relief.
"Saito?" Sano relaxed slightly.
"Sorry I'm late." Saito situated himself in front of the group, using his body as a shield. "Leave them to me."
Just by having him next to her, Aoi could feel her strength slowly returning.
"Are you alright, Tsukahara?" He asked her.
Aoi nodded, trying to conserve her energy.
"Aoi-chan, help Chizuru carry Heisuke back." Sano raised his spear.
"But I want to stay here!" She exclaimed.
"Aoi-chan-" There was a hint of desperation in Sano's voice.
"It's fine." Saito interjected. "We will finish this quickly."
Sano let the matter drop with a sigh and he turned to face the army of Satsuma men. Even though the Shinsengumi were still severely outnumbered, just having Saito there gave the impression that their forces had increased a hundred fold, and it might as well have been that way. Saito alone fought his way through half of the opponents, leaving the others for the exhausted Shinsengumi. Eventually, with their dwindling numbers, the Satsumas called for a retreat.
The next night, as Aoi was retiring to her room, there was an ear-splitting scream from down the hall. "No, Heisuke-kun, please stop it!" Chizuru's voice pleaded.
Aoi rushed to the room to see Sano already throwing open the door. From over his shoulder, Aoi saw Chizuru swipe at something in Heisuke's hand, but even in his injured state, Heisuke managed to keep whatever he was holding out of her reach. "Leave me alone." He croaked.
Aoi pushed past Sano to scold the boy and tell him to lay down, but before she could reach him, he had popped the lid off a small crystal vial and let it drop to the ground. Her eyes widened in horror, and Sano, realizing what he was holding, threw himself forward, but too late. With a cry from Chizuru, Heisuke lifted the vial to his lips and drank the blood-red liquid inside. As soon as he had drunk the last drop, he dropped the vial and began writhing in his futon, his hair turning as white as the bed sheet he was sleeping on.
"No!" Aoi gasped.
Sano knelt on the ground and gripped Heisuke's shoulders. He struggled against the person holding him down and let out a painful yell. His red pupils were dilated from the pain. Several captains ran into the room, among which included Sannan-san.
"What's going on?" Hijikata demanded.
"Heisuke drank it!" Aoi scrambled back a few paces. "He drank the Ochimizu!"
Hijikata's violet eyes were riveted on the boy squirming in Sano's arms. He turned to Sannan-san. "Is there anything you can do?" He pleaded.
Sannan-san narrowed his eyes, thinking. Then he pulled out something wrapped with paper from his long sleeves. "Yukimura-kun, bring me some water." He commanded. "Hurry."
Chizuru inclined her head and bolted out of the room. She returned in almost no time at all, carrying a cup of water. She handed it to Sannan-san who opened his small packet and poured its contents into the water. Then he handed it to Aoi. "Make Todou-kun drink this. It should help."
Aoi nodded and accepted the glass. She shuffled up to the white-haired boy. "Is there anyway you can get his mouth open?" She asked Sano.
"I can try." He replied. Leaving one arm around Heisuke's body, he reached his other hand up and placed it under Heisuke's chin. Using his thumb and index finger, Sano squeezed his mouth open. Heisuke struggled, but his mouth never closed.
Dodging his thrashing fists, Aoi carefully placed the lip of the cup to Heisuke's mouth and poured. Some of the water sloshed out from the side, but luckily, Heisuke managed to swallow the majority. His frenzied breathing calmed and he slumped over, unconscious. Sano gently laid him back down on the futon.
"He should be okay now." Sannan-san said quietly.
"What did you give him?" Okita asked glancing down at Heisuke who was sleeping peacefully.
"A medicine." Sannan-san replied. "Something I created from the notes Kodou-kun left behind. He's still a rasetsu, but the pain should be gone for now."
Aoi felt like crying. She buried her face in her hands. Why did things have to turn out this way? She felt a comforting hand on her shoulder. She looked to see Saito hovering over her. "Everything will be alright." He comforted her. "Heisuke will be alright."
Aoi nodded, willing herself to believe his words.